Compare careers
Factual side-by-side attributes from the imported O*NET and BLS OEWS datasets. No career is ranked or recommended.
Career A (or your current career)
Photonics Engineers
Career B (or your target career)
Mechanical Engineers
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Comparison table
| Metric | Photonics Engineers | Mechanical Engineers |
|---|---|---|
| National median salary | $122,930 | $104,110 |
| Local median salary | Not published | Not published |
| National employment | 154,070 | 296,810 |
| Typical education | Bachelor's Degree | Bachelor's Degree |
| Job zone | 4 | 4 |
| Important skills | Critical Thinking, Writing, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking | Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Science, Mathematics |
| Related careers | Mechanical Engineers, Automotive Engineers, Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians | Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers, Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers |
Career transition: skill overlap
Skill overlap
89%
17 of 19 target skills
Target-only skills
2
Current-only skills
2
Skill overlap compares O*NET skills rated at importance 3.0 or above for each occupation. It is a measure of listed skill overlap, not a probability of getting the job.
Shared skills
- Reading Comprehension—
- Active Listening—
- Critical Thinking—
- Science+0.5 level
- Mathematics—
- Complex Problem Solving+0.5 level
- Judgment and Decision Making+0.1 level
- Operations Analysis+0.5 level
- Active Learning—
- Speaking—
- Systems Evaluation+0.1 level
- Systems Analysis—
- Writing—
- Monitoring+0.5 level
- Technology Design—
- Quality Control Analysis—
- Coordination+0.3 level
Only in Mechanical Engineers
- Operations Monitoring
- Time Management
Only in Photonics Engineers
- Instructing
- Learning Strategies